Track day tyres

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spiderwheels · #1 Post by **spiderwheels** » Thu Jun 12, 2014 8:27 pm

I might be taking myself to my first track day soon..

My back tyre is down to under 2mm in the centre (but over 3mm elsewhere) so I'm contemplating changing it as that may wear out in a flash..

It's running a pair of Dunlop Sportsmax Roadsmarts (not Roadsmart 2) and the rear can be had for a mere £106 from black circles.

These tyres are better than me on the road but still qualify as 'sports touring'. A cursory look around reveals I could get a pair of Sportsmax Qualifier (D209?) for £140 which might suit the track a little more.

Any thoughts?

HisNibbs · #2 Post by **HisNibbs** » Thu Jun 12, 2014 8:57 pm

Is it primarily your road bike that you are using daily and doing a fair few miles on, or a track day toy?

If the former then there are lots of good road tyres that few road riders will severely test on their first few track days, if ever.

If you buy the sports max qualifier you risk having a great track tyre that you never actually get the benefit from at the track and that is not suitable for your daily ride to work etc.

I had this dilemma recently and the choice I made for myself was to get the tyres best suited to what I do most. ie a fast fun commute to work in all weathers. This worked out well for me. If I ever take the Falco off the road and keep it for track days then I'll look for some thing more focused. At least this way when getting left behind by race bikes on slicks, one can be philosophical and not feel under pressure to keep up.

spiderwheels · #3 Post by **spiderwheels** » Thu Jun 12, 2014 9:02 pm

I don't commute to work any more :) This is my 'make and excuse to ride it' bike. Not that I'll be doing loads of track days.. haven't even done one yet :)

MattG#116 · #4 Post by **MattG#116** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 11:53 am

I used Bridgestone R10's all year whilst doing trackdays. Very good tyre!

However, if you think you will be very aggressive, big lean angle then get the Pirelli supercorsa's. That is what I use racing at I now out perform the R10's.

MattG#116 · #5 Post by **MattG#116** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 11:55 am

MattG#116 wrote:I used Bridgestone R10's all year whilst doing trackdays. Very good tyre!

However, if you think you will be very aggressive, big lean angle then get the Pirelli supercorsa's. That is what I use racing at I now out perform the R10's.

Sorry, just remembered they are for track use only (the R10's). However, if you did want to try them... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120-70-17-180 ... 20e6e5f594

spiderwheels · #6 Post by **spiderwheels** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 12:46 pm

That's overboard for me :)

I think I might try the Sportsmax qualifiers.. m&p are doing the pair of 120/70 front and 190/55 rear for £140 exactly

With a 180/55 rear it goes up to £170....

I read somewhere recently that fitting a 190/55 was a good thing.. or was that figment of my imagination?!

HisNibbs · #7 Post by **HisNibbs** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:04 pm

190/55 is good but usually the more expensive option.

mrapriliafalco · #8 Post by **mrapriliafalco** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:21 pm

I have 016s and the bike was a dream around Brans

spiderwheels · #9 Post by **spiderwheels** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:39 pm

HisNibbs wrote:190/55 is good but usually the more expensive option.

Usually quite a lot more on most sites.. maybe they're just desperate to get rid of them! As long as a 190 fits..

spiderwheels · #10 Post by **spiderwheels** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 10:51 am

Funds are tight since I just bought another bike.. you know how it is.. bored.. ebay.. oops..

A pair of Pirelli Diablo (not corsa) can be had for £140. I know these are not new tech but people weren't falling off all over the place in years gone by...

Obviously I'll check what year they were actually made.